IIT Kanpur Launches Air Sampling Technology to Transform Air Quality Monitoring

IIT Kanpur has launched an Air Sampling Device equipped with a high-capacity PM2.5 impactor featuring multiple slit nozzles. This design achieves superior particle collection efficiency while maintaining a minimal pressure drop. Know details here 

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) launched its new Air Sampling Device, known as the 'Multiple Slit Nozzle-based High Volume PM2.5 Impactor Assembly,' developed by Prof. Tarun Gupta of IIT Kanpur. Earlier in 2020, the institute initiated a partnership through a technology transfer Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airshed Planning Professionals Private Limited. This collaboration aimed to locally manufacture the technology, to substitute expensive, imported air samplers and impactors. 

This significant event took place on March 11, 2024, at IIT Kanpur's Pioneer Batch Continuing Education Centre (PBCEC). The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of Research and Development, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor-In-Charge, Startup Innovation and Incubation Centre, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Mukesh Sharma, Department of Civil Engineering; and Shri Dhirendra Singh, Director, Airshed Planning Professionals.

IIT Kanpur Air Sampling Device 

The Air Sampling Device features a high-volume PM2.5 impactor with multiple slit nozzles, ensuring excellent particle collection efficiency and minimal pressure drop. Crafted from chrome-plated brass, the nozzle and substrate plates seamlessly integrate into existing high-volume dust samplers, enhancing their performance without altering the original setup. The device is designed to collect samples for assessing various air parameters, including respirable air quality, ambient air monitoring and sampling, and quantitative evaluations of air pollutants. Additionally, it provides quantitative estimates of different microbial colonies present in the ambient air.

The product launch began with the showcasing of the air sampling device, accompanied by an opening speech and perspectives shared by key participants involved in its journey from development to market entry. Stakeholders from diverse sectors such as educational institutions, the Pollution Control Board, research and development organisations, infrastructure firms, and industry collaborators engaged in a dialogue about the achievements and transformative potential of various products within the cleantech sector. Throughout the discussion, they also shared their views on how tech-centric products could overcome challenges in India's Air Quality Monitoring system.

Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, of IIT Kanpur, said, “With this technology licensed to Airshed Planning Professionals Private Limited, the device will soon be available in the market at an affordable price. Such technologies, developed at the institute, aim to promote micro, small and medium enterprises for boosting the indigenous ecosystem.”

Airshed Planning Professionals Pvt. Ltd, an incubatee at Startup Innovation & Incubation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, has been engaged in providing expertise in the field of air pollution, research and practice, being a licensee to a low-cost technology for efficient air sampling, for bioaerosol & particulate matter for commercialisation.

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